When Do You Take a Puppy to the Vet for the First Time?
Even if your new puppy comes with documentation of up-do-date shots, you still want to take him to your veterinarian a few days after he comes home. This gives your veterinarian the opportunity to do a full physical on him, possibly perform blood and fecal tests, determine a schedule for his upcoming vaccinations, and begin a clinical record in his name. For the first time, you will have full control of your little bundle of fur’s healthcare.
This marks the first of his series of wellness examinations.
Vaccinations keeps your puppy safe from diseases.
How often should puppies go to the vet?
Plan on your puppy spending a lot of time at the vet during their first few months of life. Healthy puppies should be seen every 3 to 4 weeks from the age of 6 weeks old to 16 weeks old for vaccinations and wellness checks.
During a puppy wellness exam, vets typically:
Puppies should also visit the vet as needed for arising healthcare concerns or emergencies. Some conditions and scenarios that warrant an immediate trip to the vet include:
Puppies are susceptible to many health conditions, especially before theyre eligible for their vaccinations. Below are some of the most common conditions in pups.
Parvo is a highly infectious and deadly gastrointestinal disease that most often affects unvaccinated puppies. Parvovirus is mainly transmitted by contact with contaminated poop, though the virus can also live on food dishes and human skin.
The virus is highly resilient to environmental factors and may live on surfaces for many months. This virus is often lethal if not treated within the first few days of symptom onset. The most effective way to prevent parvo in pups is to vaccinate your dog as soon as theyre eligible.
Symptoms of this virus include:
Canine distemper is another virus that infects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of young pups. Distemper is commonly misdiagnosed as a respiratory illness since the initial symptoms are much like a cold. As the illness progresses, more severe symptoms can appear, like convulsions, paralysis, and sudden blindness.
Vaccinating your dog is the best way to protect them. Theres no cure for canine distemper, though early intervention can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. Canine distemper must run its course, but supportive medications like IV fluids, anti-epileptic drugs, and antibiotics may be necessary to manage the symptoms and secondary infections.
Dogs can remain contagious for months after recovering from distemper. Symptoms of distemper vary considerably depending on the stage of infection and severity.
Some of the most common symptoms of distemper include:
Most dogs will encounter a parasitic infection at some point during puppyhood.
The good news is, most intestinal parasites are easy to treat and do not cause any lasting effects if caught early. The bad news is, intestinal parasite infections can be deadly to puppies if left untreated.
The most common intestinal parasites that vets encounter in pups are:
Fecal testing is essential for diagnosing intestinal parasites since not all types of intestinal parasites are visible in the feces. Undiagnosed parasitic infections can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and even death.
Symptoms of intestinal parasites in puppies include:
Puppies have a tendency to eat everything in sight — including inedible objects. For this reason, many pups end up at the vet for gastric obstructions or intestinal blockages.
Sometimes, dogs can pass small objects on their own, but this isnt always the case. Surgical intervention may be necessary when a dog ingests something too large to pass through the digestive tract. If you suspect your pup has swallowed a foreign object, seek immediate treatment.
Signs of a gastric obstruction include:
Kennel cough is a contagious respiratory illness that can affect dogs of all ages. Many viruses and strains of bacteria can cause kennel cough in dogs. True to its name, kennel cough is common in places with a high capacity of dogs, like boarding kennels and grooming facilities.
Kennel cough is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets, though dogs can also contract it by coming into contact with contaminated objects. Recovery from kennel cough can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, though dogs will need to quarantine for up to 14 weeks after recovery.
There is a kennel cough vaccine, but its not a core vaccine, so pet parents must request it. Unfortunately, the kennel cough vaccine is not 100% effective against all strains of kennel cough.
Symptoms of kennel cough in puppies include:
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is quite common in puppies, especially in small breeds. Low blood sugar can happen for many reasons. Overexertion, undereating, and going too long between meals can all cause a dogs blood sugar to drop.
External stressors (like being boarded) and environmental factors (like low temperatures) can also contribute to hypoglycemia. A meal or some honey on a spoon will usually remedy this condition, though prolonged bouts of low blood sugar can lead to coma or even death in young puppies.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia in puppies include:
How Often Should You Take your Adult Dog to the Vet?
After a dog has reached a year, they are considered adult dogs. Its veterinary needs change at this time. Typically, regular wellness checkups for adult dogs should be conducted once a year.
At a regular checkup, the vet will take a blood sample. If you’ve brought a stool sample, use both to check for parasites and heartworms.
The primary purpose of this annual checkup is for the vet to check your dog over from nose to tail. If there are any concerns you have or problems the vet finds, they may order tests or treatment for your dog.
It’s also a time for booster shots for many of the vaccines your dog has already received. Some shots must be done annually while others may be done every three years.
Is Your Puppy Ready For Their First Vet Visit? – Bringing Home A New Puppy Episode 4
You love your pet and want to give them their very best chance at a long and happy life, thats why regular veterinary checkups and preventive care are important. But exactly how often should you take your dog or cat to the vet? Our Citrus County vets explain…